David's Diary: Monday, July 9, 2001

Westminster Abbey and Packing

It is our last full day in London and almost impossible to believe that we have been here for more than a week. Karalee is determined that before we leave London we will visit Westminster Abbey. It has been more than fifteen years since we have been inside and we feel that it is both time for another visit and something that we want to show the children.

Westminster Abbey is the defining building of England. In the words of Andrew Gumbel in his Cadogan City Guide to London:

"It is impossible to overestimate the symbolic importance of Westminster Abbey in English culture. This is where monarchs are crowned and buried, where the Anglican Church derives its deepest inspiration, and where the nation as a whole lionizes its artistic and political heroes. To construct an equivalent in Paris you would have to roll Notre Dame, the Panthéon and the Père Lachaise cemetery all into one, and probably add a bit of the Invalides and Versailles as well. No other country invests so much importance in a single building. There is, quite literally, nowhere like it.

Not only is the architecture outstanding, but many of the most well known monarchs, writers, scientists, and politicians are buried or represented in the Abbey. We made our way inside and followed the tour, which takes you up and down the nave. We entered many of the small chapels off the nave where Kevin and Allen had many questions about whether there still were bones under the shrines. We answered the boys questions as well as we could and continued through the church. We enjoyed the feeling of being in the Abbey while examining many of the architecture details and the many stained glass windows.

Hole In The Wall

When walking from Brompton Road to our apartment (which you do a lot, since that is where both Harrods and the Tube Station are located) you pass through "Hole In The Wall". This wall originally defined the edge of the Rutland Estates. A bomb in Septmeber, 1940 during World War II destoyed the wall. At the request of the residents a right of way was established when the wall was rebuilt in 1948. Ever since the small opening has been known as the "hole in the wall".

After lunch we returned to our apartment. Karalee, Jocelyn, and Allen started to pack up, while David and Kevin spent time shopping together at Harrods. Wednesday is Jocelyn's twelfth birthday and we needed presents and cards. We also stopped by the food halls to purchase ingredients for our last dinner in London.

We returned home to find Allen eager to have his brother home. Kevin and Allen sometimes have their moments where they don't get along, but they really are the best of friends. They spend much of their time playing together with Kevin acting the role of "big brother". But they really need each other and we hope their relationship continues to grow as we spend a year together.

Our time in London went as quickly as expected. We have seen and done a lot. While we are sad to leave our apartment, we are looking forward to new adventures in France. Tomorrow will be a big day was we travel under the English Channel by train.